Press Release

Blue Cross And Blue Shield Of Alabama Recognized By The American Heart Association As A Fit-Friendly Company

March 12, 2014

BIRMINGHAM – Blue Cross has been recognized as a Platinum-Level Fit-Friendly Worksite by the American Heart Association for providing a culture of corporate wellness with extraordinary, tangible results. A Community Innovation Award was also presented to Blue Cross for the Company’s commitment to fighting childhood obesity in Alabama through the “Healthy Hanna” program. This initiative encourages children to live a healthy lifestyle by eating right, exercising and practicing good hygiene. Healthy Hanna materials are designed for children four to eight years old and are distributed to daycare centers and elementary schools.

“We are honored to be recognized again by the American Heart Association as a Platinum-Level Fit-Friendly Worksite. Our employees are our most valuable asset at Blue Cross, so we are committed to showing them ways to incorporate exercise and nutrition both at the workplace and at home,” said Dr. Dow Briggs, Senior Vice President, Business Operations. “Receiving this recognition validates our commitment to providing the healthiest work environment possible.”

Platinum-level employers are recognized for:

Offering employees physical activity options in the workplace.

Increasing healthy eating options at the worksite.

Promoting a wellness culture in the workplace.

Implementing at least nine criteria outlined by the American Heart Association in the areas of physical activity, nutrition and culture.

Demonstrating measurable outcomes related to workplace wellness.

Blue Cross is a strong advocate for helping employees lead healthier lifestyles. We support these efforts through health and wellness initiatives that promote incorporating exercise and better nutrition into everyday life. Blue Cross encourages overall health by offering exercise classes for all fitness levels, outside walking trails, fitness center, and an annual wellness program.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of AlabamaBlue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama has insured Alabamians for over 77 years. Blue Cross offers coverage plans to corporations, individuals and the senior market. For more information about Blue Cross, visit www.AlabamaBlue.com. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

About the American Heart AssociationThe American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – America’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or join us, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or any of our four offices around the country, or visit heart.org.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally-operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide healthcare coverage for
more than 106 million
members – one-in-three Americans. For more information on the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and its member companies, please visit bcbs.com. We encourage you to connect with us on Facebook, check out our videos on YouTube, follow us on Twitter and check out The BCBS Blog, for up-to-date information about BCBSA.